A Graphical Example of PCP and Antelope
Below is a diagram representing a snapshot of an example small portion of the Furthur network. The first thing to
realize about this diagram is that it doesn't represent the events over a certain time period, it represents
everything that is happening at one instant in time.
Users A, B and C
These are the only three users hosting the gd1977-05-08.shnf fileset. They are the *only* users in the diagram who
have the complete fileset.
Users D, F and H
These are the only users who are directly connected to a user who has the complete fileset. In addition to being
connected to B, D is also benefitting from the spare bandwidth of A and C, by way of Antelope.
Users E, G, I and J
These four users are downloading gd1977-05-08.shnf, even though they are not directly connected to anyone who has
the complete fileset. By way of the Packet Chain Protocol, they are able to download just the parts that others have
completed. For example, lets say User D was able to get 50% of the fileset before User E came along and started the
download. Instead of being shut out because there is no available open slot on User A, User E can get 50% of the fileset
from User D. And, as User D receives each additional packet, he is able to pass it on to User E even before completing
the download from A.
Summary
Even though only three users have the complete fileset, and only have five open slots among them, ten users are actively
downloading the fileset at the same time. And if any new users come along and decide to download the fileset, there are
still three open slots.
